Dutch Coffee Buns

Dutch coffee buns are yeast rolls traditionally topped with a jam glaze and filled with custard and raisins. Always one to buck tradition and in an effort to use up my leftover holiday baking supplies, I filled mine with almond paste, dried cranberries and then topped them off with a tart cherry jam glaze.

This was my monthly Baking Partner’s challenge. Thanks to Swathi of Zesty South Indian Kitchen, the creator of the group and Kaveri of Palakkad Chamayal for suggesting these delectable buns! They’re easy to make with a process that is just like cinnamon rolls.

The dough is proofed once then rolled out to a square and topped with almond paste and cranberries. It’s rolled up and sliced then left to proof again before baking. The buns are topped with jam glaze and are best eaten warm with a cup of fresh, piping hot coffee, the traditional way they are served in the Netherlands.

They bake up soft and fluffy with almond paste and chewy cranberries bursting from the seams. The sweet jam is the perfect topping for the tender, yeasty buns.

You can find the links to all my Baking Partner’s versions below along with recipes for the Dutch apple tart.

In a large mixing bowl or in the bowl of your stand mixer (fitted with the hook attachment)whisk the flour, salt, sugar and yeast together. Add the butter, vanilla and milk, stir until the milk is combined then turn out on a lightly floured board and knead until the dough is smooth or use your stand mixer set to medium speed.

Put the dough in a lightly greased bowl and cover with saran wrap. Set in a warm place and proof until doubled in size about 1 hour. Meanwhile, break the almond paste apart into small pieces.

Cover a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Gently deflate the dough and knead on a lightly floured surface for about 2 minutes. Then roll it out with a rolling pin to about a 13 x 13-inch square.

Sprinkle the almond paste all over leaving about a 1-inch border around the edges. Sprinkle the cranberries over top of that.

Roll the dough up to form a cylinder shape. With seam side down cut slices with a serrated knife 1-inch to 1 + 1/2-inch in size. Place on the baking sheet. If any of the almond paste falls out just pop it back in.

Set a piece of parchment over top and then gently cover with plastic wrap. Set in a warm place and proof again 30 - 45 minutes.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. You can brush the tops of the rolls with a tablespoon of melted butter, if you like. Bake 20 - 25 minutes until golden brown.

Mix the jam and warm water together and brush over top of the warm rolls. Sprinkle with almonds.

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